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Rooney: Manchester United Have “Got Worse” Under Amorim

Wayne Rooney has delivered a damning assessment of Manchester United’s decline under head coach Ruben Amorim, claiming the team has regressed since the Portuguese manager took charge.

Amorim was appointed on 1 November last year following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag, tasked with halting the club’s slide and restoring some stability. Yet, nearly a year into his reign, the 20-time English champions continue to struggle.

Sunday’s 3-0 derby defeat to Manchester City was another low point, with many United supporters leaving the Etihad Stadium long before the final whistle. Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show for BBC Sounds, the club’s all-time leading scorer did not hold back.

“I want to be as supportive and positive as I can with the manager and players,” Rooney said. “But it’s very difficult to sit here and say we are seeing progression. We’re seeing none of that. Fans were leaving the game — that speaks volumes about the level of disappointment.”

United’s fall has been stark. They finished 15th in the Premier League last season with just 42 points, their worst return since 1989–90 and their lowest points tally in the top flight since their relegation campaign of 1973–74.

Despite spending around £250m on new signings and moving out several fringe players, Amorim’s 3-4-3 system has failed to deliver results. His overall win rate of 36% — including a meagre 26% in the league — is the poorest of any permanent United manager since the Second World War. Since his appointment, United have taken only 31 points from 31 league matches, a record matched only by Tottenham over the same stretch.

Already this season, United have suffered a humiliating Carabao Cup exit to League Two side Grimsby and managed just two goals from open play in the league. Their four points from the opening four matches represents their worst start since 1992–93 under Sir Alex Ferguson. Unlike Ferguson, however, Amorim has no early trophies or credit to fall back on.

Rooney also highlighted tactical flaws, particularly the decision to persist with two central midfielders in Amorim’s preferred formation. “The problem with this system is having two in midfield. The players don’t have the energy to cover the width of the pitch. They’re being overrun and overpowered,” he argued. “If you’re struggling, you need three in midfield just to compete.”

As pressure mounts, Rooney’s verdict reflects a growing unease around Old Trafford — a club in danger of drifting further away from the standards it once set under Ferguson’s reign.

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